Cotton vs. microfiber

[LazerRed1]

I'm old enough to remember when nothing was supposedly better for car care than a 100% soft cotton cloth. Is microfiber better or just more available?

[shoeless89]

I think MF's are better. I dont the science of it or anything but I think the nap of the MF allows dirt to sink into it instead of getting ground into the paint. And I think the fibers are actually smaller then cotton fibers so there is less pressure on each individual fiber making it safer. This is all just my guess-timation. Maybe someone else can provide a more definitive answer.

[szjalo]

I use cotton or terry cloth on all interior work and MF on smooth surface like paint. Personally I believe good cotton towels are better in buffing off

[Flash Gordon]

Cotton is superior to Microfiber IMO http://www.autopia.org/forum/images/smilies2/yo.gif

[Setec Astronomy]

I'm old enough to remember when nothing was supposedly better for car care than a 100% soft cotton cloth. Is microfiber better or just more available?

Back when "nothing was supposedly better" was before there was microfiber. Microfiber is better for a lot of tasks, but there are still some good ones for cotton.

[Pockets@PoorboysWorld]

I use cotton or terry cloth on all interior work and MF on smooth surface like paint. Personally I believe good cotton towels are better in buffing off

Yup I use cotton for everything inside as well (except windows). Microfiber absorbs too much dressing or conditioner up and off what you are trying to dress or condition lol

Also use cotton for buffing of TR on the trim outside

[Flash Gordon]

I'm just the opposite (imagine that) I use Microfibers exclusivly for interiors and Cotton for exteriors. I like Microfibers on interiors because they don't tend to snag like Cotton can

If Microfiber was better then Cotton, Brooks Brothers would be making their shirts out of it

Cotton is King...

[SRTSean]

Umm, do you use your cotton shirts on your car's exterior?

I have always found that cotton, no matter how nice, seems to break down/firm up after a few wash cycles. Also not a fan of how it always snags on trim pieces. I'll stick with the microfibers that all the top pros seem to use and recommend.

[Flash Gordon]

Umm, do you use your cotton shirts on your car's exterior?

I have always found that cotton, no matter how nice, seems to break down/firm up after a few wash cycles. Also not a fan of how it always snags on trim pieces. I'll stick with the microfibers that all the top pros seem to use and recommend.


Yes! I use my old Brooks Brothers shirts! http://www.autopia.org/forum/images/smilies2/nerd.gif


Ppl who use Microfibers exclusivly have been drinking the juice IMO http://adamsforums.com/forums/images/smilies/bf-sunglasswinksmiley.gif

[rockinrandall]

Pretty safe to say...this argument falls under Ford or Chevy: who do you love?
Some guys grew up using cotton. Remember cloth diapers?? Some guys have only been around microfiber. It's a change and we all love change... My Pops first saw MF and laughed at me. He is a full convert now.
Me personally, I like the feel MF gives during a wipedown. Glass, dash, paint- it's all good with an MF 'rag'

[silverfox]

You'd love the new CG micro-cotton (cotton-MF) towels. Best of both worlds.

[Flash Gordon]

You'd love the new CG micro-cotton (cotton-MF) towels. Best of both worlds.

Those sound intresting. Perhaps one day I'll try them and see for myself http://adamsforums.com/forums/images/smilies/explode.gif

The maintanence Microfibers require is more then I can stand. Not to mention everytime you use them (on paint) you really don't know what to expect http://adamsforums.com/forums/images/smilies/xfingers.gif One time they work fine, next time they swirl up your paint.....I never have that problem with Cotton http://adamsforums.com/forums/images/smilies/bf-sunglasswinksmiley.gif

[Setec Astronomy]

You'd love the new CG micro-cotton (cotton-MF) towels. Best of both worlds.

First when I saw that I figured they must have hooked up with our "pal", Leo. But I went to their site, and as usual, the copy for this towel seems like it was translated from Chinese by someone who doesn't speak english. Near as I can tell, this is simply a 70/30 MF towel with some cotton in the middle like the WW's with the foam in the middle...so by my definition that's not really a cotton MF towel.

[LazerRed1]

One time they work fine, next time they swirl up your paint.....I never have that problem with Cotton

That's been my experience. I know for a fact, I get swirls (micro marring) and the only thing that has touched my paint is a microfiber towel to dry or apply and remove product. And I don't buy cheap micros. Very frustrating when this happens after spending so much time to get perfect paint.

Going to conduct my own test. Polish to perfection, then nothing but cotton on the finish and see what happens. I'm of the opinion that all the hype over microfiber is just that, hype by companies wanting to sell microfiber towels. Hard to promote cotton that is available everywhere as an old tee shirt or diaper.

[Flash Gordon]

That's been my experience. I know for a fact, I get swirls (micro marring) and the only thing that has touched my paint is a microfiber towel to dry or apply and remove product. And I don't buy cheap micros. Very frustrating when this happens after spending so much time to get perfect paint.

Very frustrating indeed http://autopia.org/forum/images/smilies/pullhair.gif